Schell explained that elected officials, departments and divisions of the county had to make cuts in this economic climate, but the overall goal of the county is still to provide the citizens of the county the core services at the levels they expect. The District Attorney and Sheriff's Office will see the biggest cuts as part of the prioritization process that looked at all county services and service levels in an attempt to reduce the General Fund operating budget by $750,000. In internal departments, the largest cuts will occur within the Information Technology, Facilities and Fleet divisions.

The commissioners will be meeting with each elected official and department head during the week of October 22. Citizens are encouraged to attend the public hearing at 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, November 16 or can submit comments by email to commish@jeffco.us. The adoption of the budget will occur December 7.

 

The complete proposed budget can be viewed on the Budget Management page, including the detailed message, overview and department's operating budgets.

Commissioners Approve Lane Ranch Rezoning 
The Board of County Commissioners approved the rezoning of an existing lot on Mountain Spirit Way, as part of the Bronwyn's Grove Official Development Plan, to allow the lot to be subdivided into two, single-family lots.
 
Issues of concern, on which several neighbors submitted public comment, were the allowable use of water and how this development would affect the existing wells, visibility and current Homeowner's Association.
 
Jefferson County staff pointed out in their presentation that the proposal is in conformance with the Indian Hills Community Plan and that the proposed land use will not result in significant impacts to the health, safety and welfare of the residents in the surrounding area.
 
Richard Cassens, representative for the applicant, addressed the HOA concern by referencing the 2005 Lane Ranch covenants of the area which states that the owner of Lot 4 may subdivide into two lots, if they so choose. Lot 4 is currently a part of the Lane Ranch HOA and the applicant's representative stated that there is no plan or intent to try and remove it from the Lane Ranch HOA.

Commissioners Approve Grant for Court Security 
The Board of County Commissioners approved the grant in the amount of $196,419 to be used specifically for the Jefferson County Administration and Courts Building security screening. The application was between Jefferson County, the State of Colorado and the State of Colorado Court Security Commission.
 
In 2007, the Colorado General Assembly passed Senate Bill 07-118 which mandates that funding be made available to counties via grants for court security staffing, equipment and training. The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office submitted the application for funding in 2010. The need for this replacement equipment was determined by the age of current equipment and in anticipation of any changes to the court security area that may occur in the next five years. 

Conflict Resolution Month Proclamation
Conflicts arise everyday, whether it's between a mother and her child, a supervisor and an employee or a neighbor and another neighbor. Conflict is inevitable. It is how we address conflict that can make all the difference.
 
The commissioners proclaimed October to be Conflict Resolution Month to celebrate and recognize Conflict Resolution professionals for the outstanding job they do to help people work through their conflicts nonviolently and constructively.
 
The Conflict Resolution field includes mediators, facilitators, negotiators and other professionals who help individuals, organizations and communities to improve their communication and create solutions that address the needs of everyone involved.
 
In the proclamation ceremony, State Senator Linda Newell also made the point that the Colorado Council of Mediators and Mediation Organizations, along with many jurisdictions and groups across the state, is declaring October to be Conflict Resolution Month.
 
Through Jefferson County Mediation Services, more than 200 active volunteers provide free mediation and facilitation services for all types of disputes - animal control, property issues, workplace conflicts, child support enforcement and divorce, to name a few.
 
The demand for our volunteer mediators' services continues to grow. When Jefferson County Mediation first began in 1994, it handled 69 cases. So far in 2010, volunteers have completed more than 1,150 cases. Not only does Mediation Services help resolve conflict in our communities; it also helps save the county money. Over its lifetime, the program has helped the county avoid nearly $3.8 million in costs associated with disputes.